Large payment using credit card or cash(at a discounted rate) ?

NinaSwiss

I'm having new boiler fitted this Thursday and Friday.
I've been quoted £3,500 but discounted down to £3,300 if I pay cash (after work is completed on Friday).

Originally I thought the cash option referred to payment in full via any means e.g. cash, credit card etc (as an alternative to an installment plan). However I now realize it means actual physical cash payment.

I'm OK with paying cash provided I haven't missed something that may bite me later in the future.

Company has been around a long time and an accredited installer so I should be getting a 10 year warranty with the installation.

I'm I at risk (e.g forfeiting protection) by using cash instead of credit card. I don't really get what difference it makes to the installation company.

Frustrating though as I acquired a new zero % credit card for this.

[Deleted User]

It's up to you.

He'll be able to account for your purchase more subtly that HMRC generally like if you pay cash.

If you want to do thing by the book - and have section 75 protection - use your card.

System

Isn't this exactly the same as charging to use a credit card? i.e. Illegal?

[Deleted User]

that would be hard to prove

[Deleted User]

It is illegal to charge more for card payments and less for cash payments on the same product. Report to your local council.

BoGoF

Anthonyuk95 wrote: »

It is illegal to charge more for card payments and less for cash payments on the same product. Report to your local council.

Yeah, because they would be interested. Besides what evidence would the OP have. A verbal offer? Discounts for cash are relatively common with tradesmen and it has nothing to do with card payment surcharges.

eddddy

Anthonyuk95 wrote: »

It is illegal to charge more for card payments and less for cash payments on the same product. Report to your local council.

BoGoF wrote: »

Yeah, because they would be interested. Besides what evidence would the OP have. A verbal offer? Discounts for cash are relatively common with tradesmen and it has nothing to do with card payment surcharges.

... and the company would increase the cash price to £3,500, as per the quote. So the result is that you lose the option to save £200.

The benefit of paying by card might be that if you later find there is a breach of contract, the credit card co is jointly liable with the trader (under section 75).

For example...

• If the boiler breaks down in a week or two, and you find out it's because it hasn't been fitted with 'reasonable care and skill'.

• And the company refuses to take responsibility, or the company goes bust.

(But a section 75 claim would probably still be a hard fight with the credit card co)

But you could also get that Section 75 protection by paying part of the invoice by credit card (even just a few pounds), and part in cash.

18cc

need to sign in but you can read first couple of paras without doing so
..
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cash-in-hand-building-work-costs-taxman-5bn-a-year-x7cgpv96l

Ergates

NinaSwiss wrote: »

I'm having new boiler fitted this Thursday and Friday.
I've been quoted £3,500 but discounted down to £3,300 if I pay cash (after work is completed on Friday).

Originally I thought the cash option referred to payment in full via any means e.g. cash, credit card etc (as an alternative to an installment plan). However I now realize it means actual physical cash payment.

I'm OK with paying cash provided I haven't missed something that may bite me later in the future.

Company has been around a long time and an accredited installer so I should be getting a 10 year warranty with the installation.

I'm I at risk (e.g forfeiting protection) by using cash instead of credit card. I don't really get what difference it makes to the installation company.

Frustrating though as I acquired a new zero % credit card for this.

BoGoF wrote: »

Discounts for cash are relatively common with tradesmen and it has nothing to do with card payment surcharges.

Discounts for cash from builders/tradesmen are, almost always, a sign that they're intending to evade paying tax. If you knowingly take part in such a transaction, then you could be argued to be aiding and abetting a crime - although one that would be pretty much impossible to prove.